Hemp: The New Choice For Farmers - And It's Legal

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Cannabis crops could create financial highs for area farmers.

While marijuana might be the obvious, illegal cannabis cash crop, the drug’s non-munchie-inducing cousin, hemp, could be a viable choice for local farmers.

John Baker, president and founder of Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc., said Eastern Ontario has the ideal climate and soil to grow hemp crops.

“This crop has potential to be a good reward to the agriculture sector,” Baker said. “It’s just the perfect environment for growing hemp.”

Participants in the sixth annual Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovation conference (ELORIN), held in Trenton Aug. 13-14, were able to tour one of Baker’s Grafton-area hemp farms.

Baker has licences for 19 hemp fields with the majority located in Hastings and Northumberland counties. He currently is researching the plant to determine its use as a biomass.

According to his findings, hemp could be a leader in a growing environmentally friendly economy.

“We can use this as a vehicle to drive this whole new sector,” said Baker, who lives in the Oak Hills area of Quinte West.

Baker believes hemp products will result in profits for farmers and producers of materials, and benefit the consumer.

“It’s a win every way for everyone that is using it,” he said.

Hemp can be used to make bio-masonry and bio-plastic products as well as food supplements and textiles.


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Source: communitypress.ca
Copyright: 2008 Osprey Media
Contact: Community Press - Ontario, CA
Website: Community Press - Ontario, CA